East Coast Time/November 2011
This can be the time to find big stripers in locations like Block Island and Montauk Point. From the surf much of this fishing is a distance game with big plugs and stout surf rods but the diehard fly angler can still find fish in some locations. However, boat fishing can produce some nice fish with big flies and sinking lines. Working the drop-offs and the outer rips can be productive.
Long Island Sound, both the north and south shores will have fish. A good crop of peanut bunker will bring fish right into the beaches and outflows. Wide sided flies like Deceiver and Slab flies work well fished under or around feeding fish. Also try blind casting around structure or work the outflows on a dropping tide. As water temps drop outflows create warmer water around the mouths on an out going tide—sunny days gives the best warmth.
Beaches along New Jersey can be hot fishing especially northern areas down to Island Beach State Park. This has been some of the most consistent fall striper fishing in the past 5 years. Hope for light surf and offshore winds. Work the surf line out into the drop-off fishing with intermediate lines and 4 to 6 inch long chunky patterns. Also try big 7 to 8 inch long Snake Flies with a fast sinking line. I like to use this combo when looking for bigger fish. Cast at an angle to the waves as they flow off the beach and get the fly to swing in the flow.
Trout fishing can be excellent. Three to 4 inch long, yellow, light olive or black streamers with active materials are effective. Often fishing gets better as the sun warms the water. Depending on conditions a floating line works well unless water levels are high. Fish moving water getting the fly to swing across current using 1 to 2 foot strips with a slow to medium retrieve. A sharp contrast to tiny flies and nymphs, using a streamer for trout is like fishing for stripers in a flow; the take is often hard and the fish are much livelier.
For northern anglers, as cold weather sets in, try to enjoy the last part of the season. In some cases, for the southern anglers, the fishing only gets better
Regards,
Lou Tabory and the Albright Pro Staff
